Chapter Seventeen

When Hermione woke up, she saw that the sun had gone down and the train was slowing to a crawl. A smile plastered itself to her face; she was almost there! Easing Crookshanks back into his carrier, she opened her compartment door. Lugging out Crookshanks into the hallway, she turned back for Dragon, only to find him still sleeping. Hermione sighed; she'd have to levitate him out.

Once Hermione had managed to get everyone out onto the platform, she looked around. Breathing in the sweet air, Hermione could finally appreciate just how beautiful Hogwarts is. She could see it looming over the Black Lake, and the stars shimmering above it. Hermione smiled, she'd really missed this place.

Setting off towards the carriages, Professor McGonagall had sent over, Hermione could hear the school owls hooting in the distance. Looking into the trees, next to the path, Hermione could see bats swooping and she thought she could even hear some small animals rummaging around for food.

Piling into a carriage, Hermione looked out at the lake. She could see ripples in the water, where the giant squid was swimming, and some of Hagrid's magical creatures going to drink. The full moon was reflecting in the waters, and the clouds seemed circle around it. Hermione stared up at it in wonder; she'd never seen such a bright moon.

The next thing Hermione knew, the carriage was pulling to a stop and she was at the castle. She shook her head, how did I get here? She thought, looking around. It seemed even bigger than she remembered, the doors were open and the torches were lit; it just seemed perfect, until she remembered that she'd only be here for the summer.

Hermione sighed as she stepped out of the carriage; a bunch of house elves had swooped in when she opened the door. One of the older ones stepped forward and smiled, "Wes will be taking your bags to yous room, Miss." It announced, levitating her trunk, Dragon and Crookshanks's carrier out of the carriage.

Hermione smile, "Thanks, but can you let the cat out once you get to the room please."

"Yes Miss!" It squeaked, bowing low, before waddling off. Hermione followed at a slower pace; she still couldn't believe she was back, it all seemed like a dream to her.

Walking into the Great Hall, Hermione took a deep breath. The candles were all lit and the ceiling was clear and starry. Looking at the back of the hall, Hermione saw the house hour glasses and sighed, Slytherin won the house cup this year it seemed; they didn't reset until September first, so she'd have to look at that all summer.

The house tables had been replaced by the circular table that's brought out over Christmas break. Hermione smiled, and then paused; the only empty seat was next to Thomas, and she still wasn't very happy with him for the way he reacted to Dragon. Marching over, she sat down and refused to look at him.

During dinner, Hermione spent most of her time talking to Professor McGonagall, who was sitting to her left. "Professor," she started, taking a sip of pumpkin juice, "I was just wondering how this training's going to work."

"Well, Miss. Granger, depending on where you're at in your training, certain people will be helping you and others will not." McGonagall said, with a twinkle in her eye.

Hermione frowned, "So, at the beginning I'll be working with different witches and wizards than when I finish?" she asked, taking a bit of her beans.

Professor McGonagall smiled, "That's right."

Hermione nodded slowly, "Okay," she shrugged, eating some more beans, "But when will the training start?"

"Tomorrow," she replied, sipping from her goblet, "You'll have tonight and tomorrow morning to get settled. We'll be meeting you back here for lunch and then we'll start." McGonagall replied.

After dinner, a house elf showed Hermione to her room and she flopped down on the bed. She still couldn't believe she was here! Looking up at the ceiling, Hermione thought about what she should do; she knew she needed to check on Dragon's wounds, and if Hagrid was here maybe she'd need to bring the wolf there.

Hermione bolted up in bed, glancing over at Dragon she saw that he was still sleeping. Hermione frowned, he'd been sleeping for a while, but he was sleeping soundly. Jumping out of bed, Hermione rushed to the door. She was going to go see Hagrid.

Racing out of her room, she turned towards the stairs. She was on the second floor next to the library. She'd of loved to go there, but it closed at eight; it was now a little after nine. Hermione all but jumped down the stairs and ran through the entrance hall. She slowed down as she came to the courtyard and looked around. The school hadn't changed much since she'd been here, but it was still a wonder to look at.

Hermione remembered coming here when she was younger; the castle seemed different every time she saw it. Taking a deep breath, Hermione continued to Hagrid's. It felt like she was flying down the hill, at the speed she was running. By the time she got to his door she was out of breath.

Banging on his door, she couldn't help but start laughing when she heard Fang's booming bark from inside. When Hagrid opened the door, she threw herself around him into a hug. "Hi Hagrid!" she cried pulling back.

Hagrid's jaw dropped, "Well, He'o Hermione." He smiled, ushering her inside.

Sitting down at his kitchen table, Fang padded over to her and flumped his head in her lap. Hermione giggled, "Well I missed you too Fang."

Hagrid sat down across from her, handed her a cup of tea and smile, "Well, I ain't expectin' this now was I." he started, grinning like a fool.

Hermione was smiling too, "I know!" she shrieked, "I was so excited when McGonagall side I could come back!" she announced, wringing her hands excitedly.

Hagrid shook his big head slowing, laughing, "What are yeh doin' here?" he asked, cocking his head.

Hermione blushed, "I'm here for extra training, I want to be an animagus."

Hagrid sat back in his chair, "Well, o' course yer do Hermione." He said smiling, "and if there's any witch out there it'd be yeh."

Hermione blushed again. They spent the rest of the night catching up; it wasn't until she was about to leave that she remembered why she came down here, "Oh, Hagrid," she started turning to face him, "What do you know about wolves?"

Hagrid frowned, "Well, what der yeh mean? I know yeh feed 'em raw meat, if that's what yer askin'."

Hermione shook her head, "No, I mean do you know what to do if they get hurt?"

"Well o' course I do," he sarted, "Yeh haven' go ton ehave yeh? They're some pretty fersome beasts, they are."

Hermione put a hand on her hip and looked at him, "Oh really? Wolves are dangerous."

Hagrid sighed, "Fine, well I guess not, but yeh should be careful. But why yeh skin' do yeh got one upstairs?" he asked.

Hermione nodded, "Yeah," she sighed, "It got attacked by a mountain lion earlier today; I fixed him up the best I could, but he still hasn't woken up yet." She said worriedly.

Hagrid relaxed, "Well that's just fine, Hermione. They need teh sleep teh get better." He said patting her on the shoulder, "But how 'bout yeh come see me again after yer trainin' if he ain't any better."

Hermione smiled, "Thanks Hagrid." She said, leaving his cabin. On the way back up to the castle Hermione felt a wave of exhaustion hit her, it was after eleven and she was exhausted. When she finally got back to her room she check on Dragon; some of his bandages needed replacing, so she had to clean out his cuts again. After she was done that she feed Crookshanks and collapsed onto her bed.